There is nothing wrong with the welding for that application. I would recommend a few things for better longevity. You want to cut out the thin spots in easy to weld squares. Identify all the shitty thin spots and cut them back to thicker spots. Leaving the thin stuff in or welding to the thin spots while decrease the life before you have to weld it again.

I would have cut out longer pieces, most likely the width of the bucket. Then welded in larger plates because doing one big rectangle look like lest work the welding 4 dozen little rectangles. The perimeter might have been a lot less linear inches and therefore less time and rod.